J.K. Simmons is an American actor.
Biography
Born Jonathan Kimble Simmons in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, Simmons graduated with a music degree and played a number of roles on stage before making his film debut in 1994. He appeared in The Cider House Rules and The Mexican before becoming widely recognised and praised for his role as J. Jonah Jameson in the. Spider-Man film series.
Simmons also appeared in a number of television programs, notably Law and Order and Oz, where he had recurring roles, and video games such as The Legend of Korra. In 2014 he gained critical appraisal for his role as drum instructor Terence Fletcher in Whiplash, receiving an Academy Award nomination.
Singing
Simmons performed a number of times on stage in musicals, beginning with originating the role of Andy in Birds of Paradise, Edwin in A Change in the Heir and Jigger in Carousel, both in 1990.
He later played the dual role of Captain Hook/Mr. Darling in a revival of Peter Pan, the satirical opera Das Barbecu and Benny Southstreet in the 1994 revival of Guys and Dolls.
Television
Oz (2002)
- The Last Duet (duet)
Stage
Birds of Paradise (1987)(originated the role)
- So Many Nights (contains solo lines)
- Diva (contains solo lines)
- She's Out There (solo)
- Penguins Must Sing (contains solo lines)
A Change in the Heir (1990)(originated the role)
Carousel (1990)
- Blow High, Blow Low (contains solo lines)
- There's Nothin' So Bad for a Woman (contains solo lines)
Peter Pan (1991)
Captain Hook
- Pirate Song (contains solo lines)
- Hook's Tango (contains solo lines)
- Hook's Tarantella (contains solo lines)
- Oh, My Mysterious Lady (duet)
- Captain Hook's Waltz (contains solo lines)
Mr. Darling
- We Will Grow Up (contains solo lines)
Guys and Dolls (1992)
- Fugue for Tinhorns (contains solo lines)
- The Oldest Established (contains solo lines)
- Guys and Dolls (contains solo lines)
- Luck be a Lady
- Sit Down, You're Rocking the Boat
- Guys and Dolls (reprise)
Das Barbecu (1994)
- What I Had in Mind (contains solo lines)
- Rodeo Romeo (contains solo lines)
- Public Enemy No. 1 (contains solo lines)
- River of Fire (solo)
- If Not for You (duet)
- Turn the Tide (contains solo lines)
